Asylum Seekers up 130 Percent in Iceland

News

Asylum Seekers up 130 Percent in Iceland

There has been a 130 percent increase in asylum seekers in Iceland since 2012, visir.is reports. From 2013-2014 there was a 50 percent increase.

Photo copyright Icelandic Photo Agency.

In 2012, the average processing time was 229 days. Iceland intends to adopt the 48-hour rule, which is used in Norway and which states that asylum seekers should not wait more than 48 hours to know if they are eligible to apply for asylum in Iceland. An ultimate decision will still take time but the Icelandic Ministry of the Interior aims to shorten processing times.

A total of 172 persons applied for asylum in Iceland in 2012 compared to 34 in 2009. Twelve asylum seekers’ applications were accepted in 2013.